City begins planning for transit based development in Hilltop neighborhoods

The City's Department of City Planning issued a request for proposals (RFP) for urban planning and transportation consultants to develop transit-oriented development (TRID) planning studies along the South Metro Area Revitalization Transit Corridor (SMART).

The study will identify infrastructure needs, development scenarios, and financing strategies which will create the blueprint on how to turn the targeted neighborhoods from pass through areas to destination points which attract investment.

The targeted TRID locations include a neighborhood cluster comprised of Allentown, Beltzhoover, and Mount Washington which surround the South Hills Junction bus and light rail station, and a one-half mile radius surrounding the length of the light rail line in Beechview. These areas comprise the SMART corridor, as identified by the Department of City Planning, due to their transit-oriented strategic advantage.

"These neighborhoods see well over 50,000 travelers per day and contain the light rail infrastructure that if improved, could have the potential to help revitalize business districts and communities," Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said. "Our goal here is to create more economic development opportunities for the neighborhoods surrounding these transit sites, while creating easier, greener ways to commute."

In June of 2008, the mayor applied to the state's Department of Community and Economic Development to receive funding for the TRID studies. The study will cost $227,000 and take approximately one year to complete.

"Having this blue print in hand will allow us to further our culture of sustainability through the strategic integration of transportation and land use, and create more future funding opportunities." Mr. Ravenstahl said.

Proposals are due to the Department of City Planning by 4 p.m. on February 5, 2010. The detailed Request for Proposals is available on the Department of City Planning website at: www. planpgh.com